Friday, September 25, 2009

During the next week I'll be on the road. No telephone! No computer! Just some carving and whittlin wood, my pocket knife and lots of time. I can't wait. The Flower girls are trying to determine if they can built a box big enough for Gnomey to catch and trap Bubba. We'll have to wait and see what happens.

We did have a discussion between the Flower girls mom, them and myself. The girls said they would help Gnomey build a box, but they began to worry about the size of the box. Then they said, "What will Gnomey to with Bubba when he's caught?" They discussion then moved to this winter. Zinnia said she would let gnomey live in her doll house when it's so cold out. But then Dahlia shouted, "Your doll house doesn't have a toilet". You don't suppose they really still do believe, do you?

I told them that maybe they should write up an agreement. An agreement that both Gnomey and Bubba would have to sign. The agreement would mean that neither Gnomey nor Bubba would try to catch each other.

So, in my absence next week the flower girls will be working on the Bubba/Gnomey agreement.

Meantime, here's a display of some Gnomes, wizards and Santas. The largest is 3 1/2 inches tall.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Several days ago Gnomey had asked the Flower girls if they would help him build a trap to catch Bubba; before Bubba could catch him (and eat him). This is the note that the girls left for Gnomey. It says, " Dear Gnomey, I will help you mak a cajje."

Here is Gnomeys reply back to the Flower girls. The only thing I might add is that the girls reply to this message should be funny. Bubba is no small person. I can't wait to see how they handle the questions.

Friday, September 18, 2009

This little "quick & dirty" Civil War soldier is whittled from a 1/2" x 1/2" x 4" piece of Basswood. When completed it will be only 3 inches tall. It is whittled "on the corner", using a pocket knife. Part 1 is the soldiers head. Part 2 will be the body.

Thursday, September 17, 2009

I am in the market for some medication. But first, maybe I should explain and list my symptoms. I have lots of things that I should be doing. I should be starting some new things and finishing up some older things that need to be completed. I need to get motivated! My dad used to say that I was not afraid of work, that in fact, I could lay down right beside it and go to sleep. I never thought he was right then, but now, I just don't know. I think that I have determined how my mind now works. The more work I have to do, the less I actually do. So there you have it.

As I watch TV and read magazines I notice that there seems to be pill for damn near every ailment that there is. Maybe I'll need to see that my ailment is labeled a "syndrome", first. But right now, I am looking for a pill that will get me moving towards accomplishing some of the things that I need to do. A pill that will get me motivated to get somethings done. And you know what! I don't even care about some of the likely side affects. Although, some of the side affects that are listed for some of these wonder drugs may be a wee bit troublesome.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Well, Tismee's wait is about over. The little Harley has a rider finally. Please keep in mind that the motorcycle is only 5 inches long. I had a ton of trouble trying to scale the Gnome to the bike. After about three tries, it finally dawned on me that Gnomes have really short legs. Therefore, a Gnome would have a big problem drivin one of these Harley's. Just a few more touch ups and it will be in the mail. This one will be a hard one to let go of.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Gnomey left this message for the girls. I'll probably get their reaction this afternoon. Gnomey will enlist the girls help in trying to design and build a trap big enough to catch Bubba. Bubba is not little.

Friday, September 11, 2009

I told you bout Bubba, the flower girls Grandpa. Bubba wanted to build a trap and catch a Gnome. Of course the girls tossed a fit. What I did not tell you was the rest of the story. What do you think Bubba wanted to do with a Gnome, if he caught one. Later when the girls were at his house he told them he wanted to eat a Gnome. Bubba went into detailed description of how he would prepare the Gnome for dinner. He'd roll it in butter then flour, before he deep fried it. It sounds hideous, but you'd have to know Bubba. When he tells it, it's funny. Since he's always jokin, the girls just think he's bein funny. Well this evening we were next door and Bubba was there too. He told me all of this, about tellin the girls he wanted to eat a Gnome. Then Bubba pulled me aside and whispered the following to me. "Tom, can you carve a Gnome out of a hot dog!"

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A few years ago, when I started getting older, my wife bought this Buzzard for me. I don't know if she thought I needed company, or that the ol' buzzard needed like company. It sits with me on the patio when I sit and carve.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

You all will remember that I selected "Tisme's" idea for my Christmas Giveaway. I now owe her a gift. So I thought that this little "teaser" might be called for. This is a 4 1/2 inch long model of a Harley. I am presently carving something to go with it. As soon as I finish, and send it off to "Tisme" I'll post the completed photo.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Here's a short step-by-step slide series on carving a Mark Gargac style Old World Santa tree ornament. The ornament is carved from a 3/4" x 3/4" x 4" piece of Basswood. And as you can see, it is carved on the corner.

Friday, September 4, 2009

The flower girls found the remains of Gnomeys marshmallow roast. On the way up the hill to catch the school bus this morning they both told me about the fire ring and the left over marshmallows. I had to play dumb (not too difficult), so they explained the whole thing to me. Dahlia even yelled, "I smelled the fire last night". I asked if they had been invited. To that they said "NO". Next Zinnia asked if I had one of those cameras that they use to take pictures at night, of wild animals. She said she saw a TV show where they put cameras out at night and got pictures of bears and deer. Well, I told her that I didn't have a camera like that. To that, their Grandpa said, "Well we know they like marshmallows". "We can bait a trap with marshmallows and catch one". Zinnia came over to me and whispered, " Tom go over there and hit Bubba". That's their nick name for their Grandpa.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

I would like to report that the Flower girls are all excited about Gnomey's marshmallow roast, but I guess there's too much else goin on right now. School just started, their house is under going a massive remodel. Disruption, disruption, disruption. And to top this off their mom just left for a week overseas for a wedding. It's the first time mom has been away from the girls.

However, I can share some exchanges that occurred this morning while walking up the hill to catch the school bus. The Flower girls grandpa and grandma are walking them up the hill. I brought up the subject of Gnomes, because the girls mom has been reading Gnome stories to them. I asked what Gnomes like to eat. Before they could answer their grandpa said , " I need to know too! Cause I'm to make a trap and catch them, and I need bait." Well that got the girls attention, but fast. They both said, "NO YOU'RE NOT!" The girls said that Gnomes like nuts. Grandpa said, "OK I'll bait the trap with peanut butter." Again, the same response for the girls. "NO YOU WON'T." Grandpa said, "creamy or chunky?" I asked if the girls thought you could catch Gnomes with chocolate. Zinnia, piped up and said, "You could probably catch Dahlia in a trap with chocolate.

About Me

Retired male. Next birthday will be 78. Spend most of my time carving and quilting. Retired early (51) from a major university; so I am gettin this retirement thing down real good. I talked myself into wood carving. My daughter talked me into making quilts.